Glamorous - A Grace Bishop Novel - Chapter 14
© Denise Bossarte
Grace sat in stunned silence
for a moment, trying to regain her composure. She couldn’t believe she was arguing with Eli about her abilities. This
day was turning out to be even more surreal than she imagined. She was
beginning to identify herself as a Paranorm, now that she knew they existed.
But here she was in front of the man who was the power behind the hidden
society, and she couldn’t convince him she was one of them.
“Fine,” she said, letting her full irritation show. “How do you
propose I to do that? My abilities do not include pulling ghosts out of thin
air.”
Grace thought she saw the side of Eli’s mouth twitch in
amusement, but the motion was too fleeting to be sure.
“Not to worry, Mon Chéri. We can provide tests for both your supposed
clairvoyant and psychometrist abilities.” Eli assured her, the skepticism clear
in his tone. “We will begin with the clairvoyant ability first since you
brought it up yourself.”
Ok, bring it on!
She had the abilities. She was more than ready to prove to the
lot of them she met the requirements to be included in their group,
organization, family, or club. Whatever the hell they considered themselves.
She needed to get past their disbelief in her abilities if she would ever get
help for herself and for DL’s girls.
“I accept,” she said, deciding to turn the tables a bit on Eli
by presenting it as if she had a choice in the matter.
This time Eli smiled. But it was a nasty one that did not reach
his eyes.
“Gabriella,” he called, motioning over his shoulder for someone
to approach the table. “There is a guest who wishes to speak with you.”
Grace waited in nervous anticipation, peering over Eli’s
shoulder in an attempt to catch a glimpse of Gabriella as she approached. She
hoped this ghost at least had all her body parts, and was not frozen in some
horrible visage of her death experience. Grace had seen some horrific wraiths
since her abilities surfaced, particularly at the hospital, and she wasn’t
looking forward to how Gabriella would appear.
Grace was surprised when a figure glided past Eli, growing more
distinct the closer she came. She was a beautiful middle aged woman of classic
features, dressed in a flowing blue dress covering her from neck to ankles. But
the dress left no doubt about the full and supple form beneath the fabric. She
carried herself with grace and poise and the word “classy” jumped to Grace’s
mind. Grace felt intimidated. Not by the fact Gabriella was a ghost, but
because she was an elegant one.
Gabriella stopped next to Grace’s chair and looked down on her
with a warm smile.
Somewhat reassured, Grace greeted Gabriella with her best
manners, as her carriage indicated she deserved.
“Good morning, Gabriella,
I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Gabriella’s laugh was light and delighted.
“Good morning, child,”
she responded with a delicate nod of her head. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well.”
Grace relaxed and smiled shyly.
“My name is Grace Bishop,
and I came here to get help from Eli. But it appears he doesn’t believe I am
what I claim to be. I’m sorry to disturb you with this, but he wants me to
prove I’m clairvoyant by speaking with you.”
Gabriella turned her head to give a long look at Eli and then
returned her gaze to Grace. Eli appeared oblivious to their exchange and was
sitting like he was after calling Gabriella to join them.
Gabriella studied Grace with intense eyes for a few moments, her
head tilting from side to side as she appeared to be trying to view Grace from
different angles.
“Ah yes, I can see how you
would pose a challenge to him, my little Aperto Rotto. I don’t believe he was
expecting you.”
Grace sighed. She was getting annoyed at being left in the dark
on what this whole “Aperto Rotto” business was about.
“I’m sorry, but what is
‘Aperto Rotto?’ Everyone keeps calling me that as if I am supposed to
understand what it means!”
“It means ‘broken open’
and once you prove yourself to Eli, he will explain all it means to you. But
let’s not focus on that, my dear. This conversation needs to be quick and to
the point then you can move on with getting the answers you need.”
Grace fought down her instinct to object. Everyone here was
focused on keeping her away from particular topics. But at least Gabriella
acknowledged Grace had a legitimate reason for being there.
“Ok then, since this is to
be a test of my clairvoyant abilities. Can you tell me something only you would
know to prove to Eli we had a conversation?”
“Excellent, my dear. Now
you are focused on the task at hand. Tell Eli he should have given the Marley
Horse a carrot while he was visiting there.”
“A carrot?”
“Yes dear, a carrot.”
“It will be enough to
prove I spoke with you?”
“Don’t worry my dear. It
will be more than enough,” Gabriella said with another delighted laugh. “And tell him my advice is to stop sleeping
and start seeing,” she added.
“Ok, I will,” Grace
responded with diffidence, knowing asking for further clarification on
Gabriella’s obtuse statements would not earn her answers.
“And my advice to you,
little one, is this. Keep the boy safe; he is key for what is to come.”
Grace’s heart freeze in her chest as she heard Gabriella’s
words. Danny. Gabriella was talking about Danny! All her confidence in having
kept Danny safe by leaving him at home drained out of her in a flash.
“He is not known here,
except by me,” Gabriella assured her. “Your
secret is yours to keep, not mine to tell.”
Grace searched Gabriella’s face, needing to see the honesty
there. Gods, someone else who now knew about Danny whom she would need to trust
to keep it all a secret.
Gabriella met her gaze without hesitation and Grace saw only
warmth and sincerity in her eyes.
“I will. With all my
heart, I will,” Grace promised.
Gabriella bent down to graze the side of Grace’s check with a
soft kiss, and whispered to her “Best of
luck, my Raven Knight. Hold true, be bold, but in all things, be yourself.”
Grace shook her head. There was nothing this woman did not see
or know about her. Luckily, for some reason, she was on Grace’s side. For that,
Grace was grateful. Someone in the room today believed in her and wanted her to
succeed. Danny was still safe, and she had a way to prove she was clairvoyant.
“Thank you, Gabriella. I
appreciate your help and advice. Will I get a chance to see you again?”
“As they say, time will be
the judge. But I believe yes. I hope yes,” she said as she began to fade
from Grace’s side.
Grace watched until Gabriella dissolved from view. Somewhat sad
at her parting, but buoyed by her warm nature and supportive advice.
Turning to face Eli, she announced “Gabriella wanted me to share
two things with you. She didn’t explain what either one meant, but she said
they would be enough to prove to you I am clairvoyant.”
Eli nodded for her to continue.
“First thing is this. She said: ‘Tell Eli he should have given
the Marley Horse a carrot while he was visiting there.’”
Eli surprised her by meeting the statement with a genuine, deep
laugh.
“Ah, Gabriella,” he said, shaking his head in amusement. “And
the second thing?” he asked, still smiling.
“She said to give you this piece of advice: ‘to stop sleeping
and start seeing,’” Grace relayed.
“That is all she said? ‘Stop sleeping and start seeing?’”
“Yes. That was all,” Grace confirmed. All she said to share with you, she amended.
“Very well then. You have established you are a clairvoyant, as
Sophie said.”
Grace was happy she had vindicated Sophie’s support on her first
ability.
“Now for the test for your supposed second ability -
psychometry,” Eli challenged.
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